Runners from home and abroad attended a marathon in Huizhou, Anhui province on April 10. The marathon laid a focus on medical aid among runners themselves.[Photo provided to China Daily]

First aid

In addition to medical assistance that organizers should arrange, Hou says, runners ought to become aware of first-aid procedures.

This is particularly important in the case of a very long course, such as that of a marathon, because medical help may not be close at hand and runners need to be able to help themselves and others, he says.

"Anyone involved in sports in which there are high physical risks should learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills."

Developed countries such as the US have a success rate of about 30 percent in resuscitating people who have suffered sudden cardiac arrest, Hou says, but in China the success rate is a meager 1 percent.

"That's why it has now become mandatory for high school students to learn how to do CPR."

Hou also suggests that running teams carry protective equipment, in case of emergency.

Some events organizers in China are already doing the kind of thing Hou is suggesting.

For the Huizhou marathon on April 10 there was an emphasis on training runners to help one another. About 100 marathoners did first aid training, of whom 80 passed muster.

Hou hopes such training can become a much more common occurrence.

Chang says that though he has had minor injuries in his long running career, as a result of being careful he remains in top physical condition.

"I can sense muscle cramp coming during a long cycling trip and take steps to ensure it does not happen."

Once he grabs the area of his body where he feels the pain, punches it and slows down, the pain disappears.

Chang's current training schedule includes running 300 kilometers from Monday to Friday, and cycling 250 kilometers at the weekend. The aim is to enjoy life and have some excitement, but that does not mean putting his body at unnecessary risk, he says.

yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn